A game that was shaping up to be a defensive battle exploded into a Nebraska-Kearney College rout Saturday as the Lopers defeated the ThunderWolves 44-12.

Colorado State University-Pueblo gave up four touchdown passes of 60 yards or more, and saw another score come from a big play on the Lopers’ fumble recovery for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, CSU-Pueblo netted just one long passing a play, a too-little, too-late screen pass for a 70-yard score to tailback Jesse Lewis. The ThunderWolves had much more luck on the ground, netting 170 yards rushing, the second-highest total the stingy Lopers’ defense has allowed on the ground in 2009.

Lewis was the flashpoint of the attack, recording 131 total yards.

The loss drops the Pack to 3-3 in 2009 and 2-2 in RMAC play. The Lopers, meanwhile, are in the driver seat in the RMAC, boasting an RMAC best 5-1 record through six games and 4-0 mark in RMAC play.

CSU-Pueblo will return home next Saturday when it hosts Mesa State College at 6 p.m.